Medina Heads List of Three Hawks Named to NECVA All-Metro Team

April 10, 2006 SysAdmin

MAHWAH, NJ — Sophomore libero Pedro Medina (Brentwood, NY) topped a list of three Hawks who received recognition on the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) All-Metro Division for their play throughout the 2006 season. Medina was named to the All-Metro Division First Team, as junior middle blocker Josh Spiro (Island Park, NY) and senior opposite Ryan Bullard (Smithtown, NY) both garnered mention on the All-Metro Division Second Team.

Medina, in his first season as the starting libero, crushed the SUNY New Paltz single season record for digs in a season. Collecting 387 digs in 102 games, Medina beat the single season mark by 79 digs (LaRocco recorded 308 digs in 2002). Bullard set a new Hawks single season record for aces for the second consecutive year. Bullard recorded 72 aces in 2006 to pass his mark of 70 aces, which he totaled in 2005. In his two-year career Bullard has placed himself at the top of the SUNY New Paltz career leader board in aces with 142. Bullard hit .261 on the year, averaging 3.44 kills per game. Spiro raised his level of play in his junior year recording 194 blocks, the second highest single season total. For his career, Spiro is third all-time at SUNY New Paltz with 335 blocks, trailing only Chris Wright (415) and Sean Riley (532).

For all three Hawks it is their first time receiving All-Metro Division honors, Medina is a nominee for NECVA All-Conference recognition based on his All-Metro Division First Team recognition.

The SUNY New Paltz men’s volleyball team closed out their season with a third place finish at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Men’s North Volleyball: Division III Championship. The Hawks advanced to the second round of this year’s NECVA Championship Tournament with a 3-1 (32-30, 23-30, 30-13, 30-24) defeat of Metro Division rival, Bard College. SUNY New Paltz reached the 20-win plateau for the second straight year, closing out 2006 at 22-12 overall and 11-3 in the NECVA Metro Division.